Taekwondo Forest Row

While not intending to be in any way ageist, Taekwondo can be rather physical and is generally more suited to younger people in Forest Row, it is especially good for children who will learn to be self-disciplined and respecting of others. It could prove too taxing for some older adults, but shouldn't be a problem for those who are already fit and active. However those in Forest Row who take up Taekwondo at a young age, will find that carrying it on into older adulthood is not a problem. If you are less agile you could always try something a bit softer such as Tai Chi or Yoga.

The name Taekwondo has only been used since the 1950's, although the discipline started life in Korea in 1945. A group of Korean martial arts fanatics in Seoul established some new schools called "kwans", where they practiced a combination of martial arts techniques. The emphasis of Taekwondo, as it eventually became known, is on kicking manoeuvres, especially rapid kicking methods, head kicks and jumping/turning kicks.Today Forest Row Taekwondo classes follow this tradition.

The number of Taekwondo enthusiasts worldwide, now exceeds sixty million. This sport has even been included in the Olympic Games since 2000, and if you would like to get involved, signing up for your local Forest Row Taekwondo class or club is a great place to start. While reaching Olympic standard may be beyond you, there's no reason why you cannot still become a Taekwondo master.

For the men, women and children of Forest Row who want to learn a martial art, a major priority is the element of self-defence. Since this is a key concept of Taekwondo, it's not difficult to see the attraction of this unique sport. With the added reward of developing self-restraint and having a deep-rooted respect for others, enrolling in a local Forest Row Taekwondo class would seem to be a no brainer.

These self-defence techniques may at some time prove useful in your day to day life, although it is much more likely you will only be using them within a supervised class environment. Yet it is a nice feeling knowing the fact that you can always successfully defend yourself when you need to.

Your First Taekwondo Class

If you have just booked your very first Taekwondo lesson, you'll be wondering what to expect. The following will give you an illustration, but this can vary subject to which Forest Row school you attend. An initial warm up lasting 15-20 minutes, a bit of technical training comprising some stances, blocking techniques, hand attacks and kicks, a look at some forms, some tips on sparring including movement, timing and the targeting of attacks, and to finish off a warm down to prevent muscle spasms and cramping,

Taekwondo also of course has its own regulating body, and in Britain it is British Taekwondo. Anybody wishing enroll with a Taekwondo club in Forest Row must become a registered member of this organisation. You can get lots of information about members and clubs, safe practices, coaching courses, coaches and referees, news, establishing a new club, events, first aid, equality and safeguarding, and more, by heading to British Taekwondo's website.

The Benefits of Taekwondo

There are of course, lots of benefits to be gained from doing Taekwondo, and listed here are just a selection of the ones that might be attractive to you: Improve self-esteem and concentration by sharpening both mental and physical health, Reduced anxiety and stress using advanced breath control, Augment agility, stamina and flexibility by means of extreme cardiovascular effort, Help with self-defence by helping you to recognize scenarios where self-defence could be necessary, and allowing you to control these types of scenarios in your favour, Greater discipline by methodically training your body and mind in the doctrines and strategies of Taekwondo, Strengthen your mind and body via enhanced mental discipline and physical co-ordination, Beef up confidence by pushing you to take control of your life and succeed.

Taekwondo Belts

The ranking and belt structure can get rather confusing in Taekwondo since there's no standardized system across the various Taekwondo styles. Similarities can be found though, and generally there are 2 separate belt groups, represented as "seniors" (black belts) and "juniors" (coloured belts). The number of ranks in the junior groupings varies through the styles but is generally between 8 and 12 belts, whilst the senior groupings usually has 9 dans or belts.

In the UK Taekwondo has a set of ranks (belts) that are referred to as "Kup", these ranks go from Tenth (lowest) to First (highest). The Taekwondo belt order, just like many of the martial arts is indicated by a number of colours, these colours are white, yellow, green, blue and red, with intermediary belts with stripes, namely white with a yellow stripe, yellow with a green stripe, green with a blue stripe, blue with a red stripe and red with a black stripe. Beginners of Taekwondo in Forest Row will start out with the Tenth Kup (White Belt), and move up through the different coloured belts until they achieve the First Kup (Red Belt With a Black Stripe)

After this has been completed, Taekwondo trainees in Forest Row become "black belt candidates" which entails them proceeding through a further nine ranks (Dans) until they eventually achieve the distinction of "Black Belt" status. Therefore, the Taekwondo belt order can be grouped into 3 sections; Junior Belt, Senior Belt and Black Belt. The Taekwondo Belts in the Junior division comprise; 10th (White), 9th (White With Yellow Stripe), 8th (Yellow), and 7th (Yellow With Green Stripe). The Taekwondo Belts in the Senior division comprise; 6th (Green), 5th (Green With Blue Stripe), 4th (Blue), 3rd ( Blue With Red Stripe), 2nd (Red), and 1st (Red With Black Stripe). The Taekwondo Belts in the Black group go from 1st to 9th Dan, a process that will take a considerable number of years. (Tags: Taekwondo Ranks Forest Row, Taekwondo Belt Order, Taekwondo Black Belts, Taekwondo Belts Forest Row).

The Eight Basic Taekwondo Kicks

One of the main elements of Taekwondo is kicking, here is a selection of the essential kicks: Hook or Whip Kick (Huryeo Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi), Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi). Taekwondo Blocks: To repulse the numerous kicks and hand attacks there are an equally diverse range of "blocks" (Makgi). Using the hand and areas of the arm, they are held in particular positions. Specific attacks require specified blocks, but "blocks" can also be transformed into counter-attacks by combining reciprocal kicks or punches. The key "blocks" include: Knife Hand Block, Low Block, Palm Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Rising Block, Upper Block, Double Forearm Block, Nine Block and Single Forearm Block.

Beginners Classes

It does not matter what you're capable of or who you are in the world of Taekwondo, at one time you were a total novice, knowing nothing and fearing failure. We have all started like this and can only improve and learn through practice. Beginner Taekwondo classes in Forest Row are the place get started on that learning process and to acquire the fundamentals so you can gain self-confidence and move forward in your exciting Taekwondo experience. The majority of beginner classes are set up to be fun and friendly, offering a gradual introduction to the basic Taekwondo values and building a firm base for the future.

Safety Equipment

Safety equipment like shin guards, a red/blue head guard, a gum shield, blue/red trunk armour (hogu), forearm protectors, a groin guard and hand protectors must be used in all competitions supervised by British Taekwondo. Protection from injuries is imperative due to the formidable kicking which is an integral element of this activity.

Tournaments and Competitions

Tournaments are a significant aspect of the Taekwondo legacy, and all of the different styles around the world stage tournaments where Taekwondo masters come together to battle it out. Hard contact is hardly ever allowed in any of these competitive events which mostly comprise sparring, breaking and patterns. Sparring only is permitted in Olympic and World Taekwondo tournaments, while certain hand attacks are permitted in International Taekwon-Do Federation events.